Kohar wants road safety norms in syllabus

Chandigarh, August 23: Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister, Punjab today laid stressed to implement the Road Safety Norms in an effective manner with a view to register more reduction in road accidents in Punjab.

Presiding over a meeting of Punjab State Road Safety Council here, Kohar said that nearly 3,500 people are losing their lives due to accidents in Punjab leading to huge revenue loss. He said that it has been come to fore after a detailed survey on accidental deaths that the maximum accidents are taking place due to consumption of liquor during driving, usage of mobile phone, overloading, stray animals and due to unmanned crossings.

Emphasising on the need of effective and sincere implementation of road safety norms and traffic rules, Kohar said that Punjab Government has initiated various awareness campaigns to prevent the accidents. He said that there were more than 900 unmanned crossings in the state, out of which 75 were declared sensitive. He said that Punjab Government would soon take up the case of unmanned crossing with the Union Government.

The Minister also informed that the necessary directions have been issued to the concerned departments and officers to remove the electricity poles, trees and other hurdles between the roads. He said that a plan of parking sites outside the cities situated on national highways and 4/6 lane roads was under consideration of Punjab Government, which would be finalised soon.

Advocating the need to include Road Safety Norms as subject in the syllabus of schools and colleges, Kohar said that a case in this regard was pending with the state government and the decision would be taken soon.  

Meanwhile, Transport Minister announced that the Department would honour drivers of Punjab Roadways and Punbus for their clean record in accidents during the last five years to motivate the other drivers to adopt safety norms in true spirit.

Secretary Transport Mandeep Singh informed the meeting that the initiatives taken by Punjab Government have brought fruitful results as the state has registered 50 percent reduction in fatal road accidents. He said that the Punjab Road Safety Council has formed district level committees to prevent the accidents by creating awareness amongst masses.

Adding, he said PWD and Punjab Police had identified more than 400 accident prone areas and with the efforts of transport department in association with NGO 52 areas have bring out of accident prone areas.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Kamaljit Singh Sohi, Vice Chairperson Road Safety Council, Harjit Singh, State Transport Commissioner, Harmel Singh, senior officials from police, health, education, excise and taxation, PWD, revenue, forest, Powercom, Mandi Board and ex-officio members of Road Safety Council.